The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-07-14
County Alliance.

county Alliance.
The'Farmers' Alliance of Stearns
county met pursuant to call at Fire
mans hall in Melrose at 2 P. NJ. on
Tuesday, presid emit David Cleveland
in the chair; E. H. Atwood, secre.
tary was present. The following
committee Oh credentials was APP
pointed: o. G. Lyman, j. B. Getchell
and G. M. Boss.
The committee reported the fol-
lowing delegates present and entitl-
ed to seats:
NoRTHFORK = X. Halvorson. two
votes, and H. H. Heiel.
MAINE PRAIRIE.-E. HI. Atwood,
three votes.
RAYMoND.-W. L. Kimmell, o. G.
Lyman, NJ. E. Mcintyre.
SAUK CENTRES S. A. Irish, C. NJ.
Boss, r. A. White. +
GE1TY.-J. A. Botz, two votes,
Michael Kline.
ST. CLoUD.~-J. B. Getchel, three
votes.
SPRING HIIL.-M. j. Hogan, three
votes.
The report was adopted.
The minutes Of the last meeting
of the Alliance were read and ap.
proved. "
1t was moved by w. E. Kimmell
that committee of three be appoint
ed on resolutions, and the motion
adopted.
The following were appointed as
such committee w. E. Kimmell'
R. A. White, NJ. j. Hogan. r.
The secretary of the State Alliance
Eric Olson, who was present, was in
vited to give summary of the
workings of the Alliance in the
State. He gave history Of the leg,
islation OF the past two sessions
and the operation of the law. He
felt that the commissioners could
give very substantial relief in the
matter of transportation, if they
would, but they will not. The re-
course is to the courts.
Between the Democratic ring with
Messrs. Hill and Kelly on the ore
hand, and Pillsbury and Gov. MeGill
on the other, working in favor of the
railroads, little relief to the farmers
can be expected.
President David Cleveland was
called upon and spoke as follows:
At this,the second meeting of our
County Alliance, shall but briefly
state few facts connected with our
organization. AS you are all aware,
this County Alliance came into ex-
istence enc year ago, upon the eve of
most exciting political campaign;
it was said at the time and comment
ed upon afterwards, that we were
captured by politicians; but l do not
think the facts bear out the assertion.
That an attempt was made cannot
be denied, and as long as farmers
will allow party politics to carry
them with the party regardless of
principle just so long will they be
kept under the yoke of bondage.
The Alliance as an organization is
intended to be free and independent
of all party Affiliations; to deal with
principle rather than party; actions
rather than promises. Although we
have not plished all we would
like or should expect we Lave made
a long stride in that direction
enough in my opinion to give us
courage to redoublc cur exertions.
Getty Alliance, to which l belong,
was the first organized IN his county
think, four years ago. There are
now sixteen similar organizations in
the county. The number of mem.
bers do not know, but am aware
they are not one-tenth what they
should be. 1 hope and trust that the
next year will bring large accessions
to our ranks so that we can make our
power felt so that it will be regarded
at the next election one year from
this fall.
There Is another matter to which
will call your attention, that is, our
duty to the State Alliance in. the
matter of dues; it appears by the
secretary's report that comparatively
few subordinate Alliances have paid
their dues, This is to be regretted,
for without money our state officers
cannot accomplish what they would
like to, or what is expected of them.
and hope that the delegates here will
urge upon their respective Alliances
the matter Of dues, as it is small
matter to subordinate Alliances, but
considerable to the state Alliance,
! will briefly state a few of my
views of the need of o1ganiza-
tion. There is power in organza-
ton, and inasmuch as other classes
are thoroughly organized to advocate
their own interest, by co operating
together, is it not folly for the farm
ers to suppose for a moment that
they can sustain themselves single
handed, and in an unorganized condi-
ton. They are simply at tn ey mercy
of organized power, and must yield
obedience to the dictations and de-
mands Of those who are organic, d,
and pay the exacted tribute just or
unjust as it may be, without recourse.
Seventy-five thousand soldiers prop
erly organized and drilled will put to
flight 100000 who undertake to fight
single-handed and unorganized. 1t
is equally as futile for farmers to un-
dertake to cope single handed with
organized bodies in the race of life
They cannot hold their own nor sus.
tain their rights, nor hold their equ-
ality among men until they too be-
come as thoroughly organized as
others with whom they deal and CON-
pete In the affairs of life. This is a